Gainesville's Home For Live Music
210 SW 2nd Ave. Gainesville, FL 32601

The Epicenter of Live Music and Events in Downtown Gainesville, FL

High Dive is a live music and event venue unlike any other in Gainesville, providing a professional concert experience in a gritty rock n’ roll environment. This is the kind of space artists and music fans might typically expect only in a bigger city. High Dive has the largest and highest quality sound system of any venue in Gainesville and a recently updated lighting and video system. Full production specs can be found here.

Located in the former home of Common Grounds and Covered Dish! We share the building with Five Star Pizza, next to the southwest parking garage and across from Jones B-Side. We have the biggest dedicated parking lot of any venue downtown, and parking is always FREE (first come, first serve).

High Dive was named #74 of “100 Greatest American Music Venues” by Consequence of Sound blog, one of only 3 ranked venues in Florida.

Learn more and see the full list at consequenceofsound.net.

 

A Long and Storied History

"The Center of It All" Mural - Carrie and Jesus Martinez
“The Center of it All” Mural – HD SW 2nd Ave wall. Mural by Carrie Martinez

High Dive’s building has a long and storied history of hosting live music for decades. Huge, influential bands such as Dave Matthew’s Band, Kenny Chesney, Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, 311, Black Keys, Paramore, Avett Brothers, and Against Me! as well as comedians such as Patton Oswalt have performed at this site going back to the 90’s. With your support we are committed to celebrating and maintaining this cultural tradition for many years to come!

Gainesville Downtown wrote a blog post about the great history of our venue.

“High Dive is Always a Happening Place”

“For more than two decades, the music venue has showcased some of the best talent to pass through Gainesville as well as top local bands.”

Visit gainesvilledowntown.com to read the full post.

High Dive celebrated its 10 year anniversary in July 2022

Visit alligator.org to read the full article

Venue Renovations & Features

High Dive has recently undergone a 2 year renovation. Updates include a large amount of permanent seating, refinished bars, new flooring, ceiling, lighting, improved sound and lights, refinished artist backstage, upgraded bathrooms, a modern electronic point of sale systems, and new bar systems. Our pride and joy is 800 square feet of reclaimed and restored, 150 year old heart pine lining the walls of our inside show room. We have maintained the warm and friendly rock-n-roll feel of this historic venue with a fresh rustic-chic sheen.

This is truly a HIGH class, high-end DIVE bar.

Outdoor Beer Garden

Our outdoor Beer Garden features a full bar and is always NO COVER for 21+. Ideal for those that wish to hang out but don’t want to see the show. The Beer Garden features 42″ flat screen TVs with stereo sound for catching big games! You can also see a video feed of the entire stage from outside while you have a smoke or enjoy your drink. LIVE DJ’s spin in the High Dive Beer Garden from time to time.

Local Food Trucks

Food trucks set up in front of our entrance at various times, serving a wide variety of dishes at affordable prices. Follow our social media for updates. Every 6 weeks or so we host the ORIGINAL GAINESVILLE FOOD TRUCK RALLY with over 10 local trucks on site. Feel free to bring your food inside and have a drink!

Policies & Other Information

Hours of Operation

We are only open for shows and events. Typically doors open at 7pm or 8pm on weekdays and 8pm or 9pm on weekends. Advertised “show time” is the time the opening act goes on, NOT the headliner. Gainesville law says we have to close at 2am. Please check our Calendar of Events for full information daily.

Age & ID Policy

Gainesville City Law stipulates that no one under 18 is allowed inside a bar or nightclub unless accompanied by parent or guardian at all times while in the building. For safety reasons, No one under 12 years old is allowed inside, regardless of parent or guardian accompaniment. Some events may be open to strictly 18+.  Please check details on purchase page before purchasing tickets.

Additionally, for anyone 18 or over,  a drivers license, passport, or birth certificate (accompanied by photo ID) is required to enter.

Underage drinking is illegal and will not be tolerated. Anyone caught drinking under the age of 21 or facilitating under age drinking will be asked to leave. We don’t enjoy policing this law, so please don’t make us do it!

Smoking Policy

High Dive is non-smoking inside the building.
Smoking is allowed outside in the Beer Garden only.

National Independent Venue Alliance

High Dive is a member of the NATIONAL INDEPENDENT VENUE ALLIANCE, a group of over 500 independently owned music venues across the country who are the backbone of the live music and touring businesses. We are locally owned and plan to be that way as long as we are open.

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